The Role of Health Education on Breast Cancer awareness among University of Calabar Female Undergraduates

Abstract

The study sought to determine the role of health education on breast cancer awareness among University of Calabar female undergraduates. To achieve the purpose of the study, three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Related literature was reviewed, while a survey research design was adopted for the study. Appropriately develop and validated instrument: Awareness and Breast Cancer Disease reduction Questionnaire was validated with acceptable reliability indices. The research instrument was administered to 152 University of Calabar female undergraduates. The resulting data was analyzed using chi-squared (X²) statistical technique. The results showed that breast cancer awareness significantly affect individual’s knowledge of the symptoms and risk factors of breast cancer, as well as their practice of breast self-examination. Most importantly the result showed that Health Education has a positive significant role in the reduction of breast cancer. In conclusion, it was recommended among others that more of this kind of study should be carried out regularly to educate student about their health, and health education as a subject be adopted as a core subject in our schools curriculum. Also Government and Non-governmental organizations should organize seminars, health awareness talk shows and campaign on other health related issues.

Keywords: Health Education, Breast cancer awareness, Breast-self examination, Symptoms and risk factors.